San Jose Earthquakes fall to Colorado Rapids in MLS preseason

The Earthquakes dropped their first game of the preseason Saturday in a 1-0 defeat to the Colorado Rapids at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson.

Jamie Smith scored in the 66th minute on a service from the left by Andre Akpan to lead the Rapids, who dominated play throughout. Colorado's Deshorn Brown, taken sixth overall in the MLS draft this year, had two good chances in the air in the first half. The Jamaican rookie blew the first opportunity by directing the ball wide and hit the crossbar on the second try.

San Jose coach Frank Yallop used different lineups with mostly reserves for each half as the technical staff tries to figure out which players to keep for secondary roles. The Quakes played better in a scoreless first half with the help of regulars Rafael Baca, Sam Cronin and Shea Salinas.

But the Earthquakes looked listless after halftime when they marshaled little offense. The team returns to its San Jose training facility next week before leaving Thursday for Oxnard for another preseason trip.